So, you've never lived away from home?

Yesterday I went through some serious culture shock.

On the phone in Luxembourg, my future landlady refused to tell me anything about my flatmates-to-be. When asked whether she could send me their emails, so that we could get to know each other before we share a common kitchen, she exclaimed, "have you never lived away from home? I can't give you this information. This is not the way things work."

I guess not. Sharing spoons and plates and dish-clothes, not to mention washing lines, does not entitle you to others' personal information. Or does it?

Maybe it's still the delayed effect of Southeast Asia. Many travel agencies have make-shift offices in the front part of people's bedrooms. Somehow I got used to giving away my personal information, such as country of origin, age, marital status, email address, telephone number, country of birth...

But not once did I feel as used as on the phone with this law-abiding citizen. Looking forward to meeting you in person, Mme Reuter.